Features

Thorlabs offers a wide range of general laboratory tools and tool holders to make the construction of an optomechanical assembly as quick and effortless as possible.

The table to the right lists common balldriver and hex key sizes that are interchangeable. For information on compatible balldrivers/hex keys and various types of screws, please see the Hex Key Compatibility tab.

The updated TC2 packaging primarily consists of recycled paper and cardboard and weighs 12.60% less than the original packaging. This weight change results in a 36.20 kg reduction in travel-based CO2 emissions per year, based on typical product sales.

As we move through our product line, we will indicate re-engineered, eco-friendly packaging with our Smart Pack logo, which can be seen above.

Hello,
Would you be able to offer a 4-pack of 2 mm (metric) hex key thumb screws, or at least offer them separately from the whole range of sizes? We very often need the 2 mm screws and I am pretty sure they were offered separately last year (which was great).
Best regards,
JG Brisset

YLohia
&nbsp(posted 2020-03-12 08:46:47.0)

Hello JG, we currently offer the HKTS-5/64, which is a four-pack of the 2 mm hex key thumb screws. Please note that this is a universal thread, so it works with both 2 mm (metric) and 5/64" (imperial).

Felix Widmer
&nbsp(posted 2019-12-13 09:41:32.79)

We would have ordered if you had Hexkeys with ball-shaped endings. But alas, I could not find this on thorlabs.

YLohia
&nbsp(posted 2019-12-16 09:10:26.0)

Hi Felix, thank you for your feedback. I have posted your idea on our internal engineering forum for further consideration as a product in the future.

Bram Mooij
&nbsp(posted 2019-10-04 10:33:02.197)

I am a bit disappointed by this set. Our lab has a lot of these sets (also the imperial version). The grips are too small, so if any force is required they don't work very well. This holds especially for the 5mm and 3mm variants. Also, I miss the rotating end on the the 2mm and 1.5mm balldrivers. This is something that companies like Wera and Wiha do provide and help a lot in some cases. Their offerings are also much stronger, a lot of our lab's 0.05 inch and 1.5mm hex keys are a bit bent. I personally never order tools from Thorlabs because I prefer the alternatives elsewhere. If you would stock Wera, Wiha or similar I would order tools from Thorlabs. Do you have any plans to supply alternatives?

YLohia
&nbsp(posted 2019-10-04 11:13:18.0)

Hello, thank you for your feedback. We are sorry to hear that the ball drivers in the BD-KIT do not hold up to the quality we strive for in every Thorlabs product. Currently, we source our ball drivers from Bondhus and have not made any plans of switching suppliers. That being said, I have posted your feedback on our internal product engineering forum for further discussion.

Keith Grabiel
&nbsp(posted 2019-08-01 16:39:37.17)

Please send me the RoHS cert. Thank you.

YLohia
&nbsp(posted 2019-08-13 08:37:32.0)

Hello, I have emailed you the RoHS certification for the BD-1/8.

mgiacome
&nbsp(posted 2019-01-01 18:01:16.943)

I will literally rebuy all of my ball drivers if you put color coding on them like the color coded hex keys.

YLohia
&nbsp(posted 2019-01-02 10:03:15.0)

Hello, thank you for your feedback. I have posted your suggestion to our internal engineering forum for further consideration.

amber85h
&nbsp(posted 2018-10-03 16:22:54.17)

The interchangeable ball driver (MBD) is very difficult to use. The bits fit so tightly in the handle that it takes more time and effort to use it than to just go get the other ball drivers from across the lab. I know it's a delicate balance between them fitting snugly enough to stay in and not being awful to remove them, but this product could use another round of refinements. Maybe magnets, softer material, etc? I never use mine, unfortunately. Thanks for listening!

YLohia
&nbsp(posted 2018-10-04 08:50:21.0)

Hello, thank you for your feedback. We are sorry to hear that the MBD is not meeting your expectations. At Thorlabs, we continuously strive to make our customers' experience in the lab better. We appreciate your suggestions and I have shared your feedback with the engineers responsible for this product for further consideration.

aroy
&nbsp(posted 2018-09-25 16:24:20.817)

hyperlinking the images in the banner to the product description might be useful. For example clicking on the image of HKTS-9/64 could take us to the product (not the product page, that would be too specific) and we could look for the exact size/product on the list.

rmiron
&nbsp(posted 2018-09-26 10:20:07.0)

Response from Radu at Thorlabs: Thank you for sharing this idea with us. I think it would be a useful enhancement for our website. I shared your feedback with our web team and I hope to see it implemented in the future.

robert
&nbsp(posted 2018-06-08 16:47:06.44)

The BT17 and BT17/M are great, but very expensive because of the airfreight costs. Can you ship unassembled to reduce costs? We'd be interested in buying in packs of 5 in that case, and particularly if we could buy the stands only without bottles and ball drivers.

llamb
&nbsp(posted 2018-06-11 02:56:09.0)

Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. Unfortunately we are not able to offer these kits disassembled as it would not be cost effective for the user. We may be able to offer the stand on its own however, without the balldrivers and bottles. I will reach out to you directly to discuss a possible quote.

ludoangot
&nbsp(posted 2017-12-06 00:19:38.193)

Could you offer Hex Key Thumbscrews (your reference HKTS-...) in 5/32"? Some 1/4" screws use this size.

nbayconich
&nbsp(posted 2017-12-08 09:03:16.0)

Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. We can offer 5/32" hex thumbscrews as a custom order item. I will contact you directly with more details about our custom capabilities

rbjaculbia
&nbsp(posted 2017-03-14 10:06:43.183)

Hi,
Do you offer non-magnetic allen wrench / ball drivers? Thanks!

tfrisch
&nbsp(posted 2017-03-15 08:58:24.0)

Hello, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. While we don't currently offer any non-magnetic ball drivers or allen wrenches, I can reach out to you directly about where to find them.

nherrick
&nbsp(posted 2015-08-27 08:54:02.73)

People are always losing and stealing my ball drivers! Would it be possible to order ball drivers individually, as opposed to by-the-set? The M1.5 seems to be particularly coveted by thieves. (I could buy from another source, but then they wouldn't match your set. I even tried the manufacturer's website, but to no avail.)

besembeson
&nbsp(posted 2015-09-25 05:44:34.0)

Response from Bweh at Thorlabs USA: Unfortunately we don't sell the individual ball drivers as it is not cost effective for the user. You may have to consider the BD-KIT/M: http://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=BD-KIT/M

spv1985
&nbsp(posted 2013-12-17 07:26:41.28)

Hi,
This is a constant user of THORLABS(c) mechanichs speaking. A lot of times i have regreted about a lack of T-shaped hex ball screw-drivers, that I have seen in hands of COHERENT field engineers, cause usual screw-drivers are not suitable for a strong tightening in difficult high-density schemes. I would like to see them in the product catalogue of THORLABS, so i could buy it.
Best wishes.
Pavel

jlow
&nbsp(posted 2013-12-17 09:08:44.0)

Response from Jeremy at Thorlabs: Thank you for your feedback. We will start carrying these in early 2014 as our regular stock items. We can send you a free sample once we have these in stock.

tcohen
&nbsp(posted 2012-09-13 13:12:00.0)

Response from Tim at Thorlabs: The current design is made to be compatible with the standard 2” edge spacing found on our optical tables ends and breadboards without being inconveniently large on smaller breadboards. The edge spacing on optical table sides can vary beyond 2.5”. Based on your feedback we are reviewing this design to see if changes would make this product more convenient.

user
&nbsp(posted 2012-09-11 17:34:47.0)

The TC4 does not fit on your optical tables. It can be attached to the ends but when attached to the sides of the table the holes for the ball drivers interfere with the table top. The slots need to extend another 0.5".

jlow
&nbsp(posted 2012-08-29 10:31:00.0)

Response from Jeremy at Thorlabs: Thank you very much for your feedback. I have posted this idea in our internal forum and we will look into this.

user
&nbsp(posted 2012-08-29 03:51:08.0)

product suggestion: color-coded ball-driver sets. have the handles in different colors for size, with another colored ring for metric/imperial.

user
&nbsp(posted 2011-11-28 17:19:59.0)

A response from Tyler at Thorlabs: Thorlabs doesn't currently sell a torque wrench but we can send you a few links to torque wrenches that we use internally. Also we can discuss with you ways to achieve the stability that you are looking for.

landry.huet
&nbsp(posted 2011-11-28 09:50:55.0)

Dear Sir,
Given the complexity of my optomechanical setup, I need all my apparatus to be as tight as possible. Trying to achieve this, however, I destroyed several screws, post and post holders. Do you sell torque wrenches, or would you recommand any hex torque wrenches to use with your products, to maximize tightening while avoiding destruction of screws and threads ?
Thank you very much. Best regards.

bdada
&nbsp(posted 2011-11-08 18:41:00.0)

Response from Buki at Thorlabs:
Thank you for participating in our Feedback Forum. We appreciate your input in our product design and we will ask our production team to consider it.

user
&nbsp(posted 2011-11-08 11:38:46.0)

There seems to be room for a second 3/16" ball driver near the mounting slots, as well as 2 more 5/64" drivers near the current one. Having these extra parking spaces would be great, no need to fill them when selling the complete kit, just give us more parking.

bdada
&nbsp(posted 2011-07-15 19:07:00.0)

Response from Buki at Thorlabs:
Thank you for your feedback. I will pass on your idea to our production team. As a short term solution, I could send you another BD-KIT, or I could send you the HK050, which is a 10 pack of the 0.05” hex key. If a hex key is not convenient for you, you could purchase the ball driver from a hardware store.

atkinsond
&nbsp(posted 2011-07-15 12:36:40.0)

It would be great if you sold the 0.050 balldrivers separately. They are so fine that they break often and we now have about three sets without the little guy.

jjurado
&nbsp(posted 2011-07-08 13:09:00.0)

Response from Javier at Thorlabs to iain: thank you very much for contacting us. The required hex key size for the 4-40 screws used to secure the ER rods is 0.05". We offer this size ball driver as part of the TC2 ball driver and hex key kit and the BD-KIT, and we also sell a pack of 10 hex keys of this size (HK050).

iain
&nbsp(posted 2011-07-08 06:02:11.0)

Which size of hex key is required to do up the #4-40 setscrews in the end of Thorlabs 30 mm cage rods such as the ER1?
I used to have a ball driver lying around in the lab which was really handy to have around when working with cage system components. Do you sell a ball driver for these tiny setscrews?

jjurado
&nbsp(posted 2011-05-17 13:53:00.0)

Response from Javier at Thorlabs to bpatterson: Thank you very much for contacting us. We might be able to offer certain hex key and ball drivers sizes individually. I will contact you directly to get your requirements.

bpatterson
&nbsp(posted 2011-05-16 18:46:02.0)

You only have certain sizes of individual ball drivers listed. Can I purchase any size individually?

apalmentieri
&nbsp(posted 2010-02-17 17:17:11.0)

A response from Adam at Thorlabs to Rziegler: I agree that this type of modification would be a good idea. I too have had issues with these holders when using them on a crowded table. I will pass this along to our engineer department as a customer inspired idea. A short term fix for this problem may be to clamp the TC2 to the table using a few CL5.

rziegler
&nbsp(posted 2010-02-17 14:54:19.0)

Im assuming the base is weighted. Any thoughts on making it magnetic? This would help keep it from being pushed off a crowded table...

Laurie
&nbsp(posted 2008-03-18 10:23:33.0)

Respnse from Laurie at Thorlabs to rwilliams: The stands can be purchased separately, but a special order needs to be requested through our tech support department. Please call them at 973-300-3000 and ask to speak to an applications engineer. Thank you for your interest in these organizational items.

rwilliams
&nbsp(posted 2008-03-11 14:56:28.0)

Can I get the stand only for TC2 and BT17? I have lots of the tools already that I need to organize. Id be looking for 3 copies of each.
regards,
Rich

technicalmarketing
&nbsp(posted 2008-03-04 08:17:57.0)

The 3/16" balldriver has been added back to BD-KIT

acable
&nbsp(posted 2008-01-18 15:28:07.0)

The BD-KIT had contained a 3/16" balldriver, please add it back to the package even though the supplier doesnt ship their kits that way.

This balldriver tool kit, available in both imperial and metric sizes, offers a wide range of the most commonly used balldriver and hex key sizes and houses them in a convenient stand. The stand is precision-machined and labeled with a discrete location for each balldriver and hex key. The wide base (IB3) provides stability and easy placement anywhere in the lab.

Imperial balldrivers have a yellow handle, while metric balldrivers have a red handle. All balldrivers have a high-strength steel alloy blade.

Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey

Among the most essential general-purpose tools in any optics laboratory, balldrivers are used to secure standard cap screws and setscrews in optomechanical assemblies. Balldrivers can be purchased individually or in kits. See the tables to the right for the balldrivers included with each kit.

Unlike standard hex wrenches, the unique hex ball design of the balldriver tips allows them to operate at angles, which is ideal for tightening or loosening screws in hard-to-reach places. Imperial balldrivers have a yellow handle, while metric balldrivers have a red handle. All balldrivers have a high-strength steel alloy blade. The BD-3/16L and BD-5ML have an extra long 8" (20.3 cm) shaft with an overall length of 11" (27.9 cm), including the handle.

The BD-1.3M is labeled as a 1.27 mm balldriver. Please note that the industry standard is to round 1.27 mm hex measurements to 1.3 mm, and thus the BD-1.3M is compatible with all 1.3 mm hex components. For compatibility information between other balldrivers/hex keys and screws, see the Hex Key Compatibility tab above.

Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey

This benchtop and table organizer saves time and protects mounted optics by providing a temporary storage area on an optical table. Each organizer comes with imperial or metric hex balldrivers as well as two non-reactive plastic dropper bottles with acetone and methanol labels (chemicals not included).

Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey

The TC4(/M) Tool Caddy is a great balldriver kit organizer that offers a convenient storage area and bolts directly to an optical table. The caddy includes balldrivers and hex wrenches in the sizes listed in the table to the right. Imperial balldrivers have a yellow handle, while metric balldrivers have a red handle. All balldrivers have a high-strength steel alloy blade.

Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey

The MBD(/M) Interchangeable Balldriver Sets are 8" (20.3 cm) long from the tip of the bit to the end of the handle and have 3" (7.5 cm) long steel alloy bits. The bit selection in each set was specially chosen to fit the most common hex sizes used in Thorlabs' products. Unlike standard hex wrenches, the unique hex ball design of the balldriver tip allows it to operate at angles, which is ideal for hard-to-reach places.

The MBD set contains seven interchangeable bits (see the table to the right). Six of these bits are stored securely in the yellow handle, while the seventh is pre-inserted into the main shaft, ready for use. The MBD/M set contains six interchangeable bits, which should not be stored in the red handle at the same time. One bit should always be kept in the shaft so that the others can be removed with ease.

To change a bit, firmly pull the bit out of the shaft. Insert the top of the bit that was just removed into the hole on the bottom of the handle that houses the bit you would like to use next. Tightly grip the handle and push the old bit into the hole, which will cause the new bit to come out of a hole located at the base of the shaft, as indicated in the video to the right. Pull out the new bit, and slide the old one the rest of the way in.

Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey

Non-Magnetic Hex Keys

Thorlabs' non-magnetic hex keys are offered in nine imperial sizes from 0.050" to 3/16" and six metric sizes from 1.5 mm to 5.0 mm. The 0.050" hex key is fully compatible with a 1.3 mm hex. Made of titanium and resistant to corrosion, these hex keys are suitable for a range of applications in which interference from magnetic tools is undesired.

Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey

Hex Key Thumbscrews allow for quick, low-profile adjustment of hex-driven actuators, cap screws, and setscrews. Unlike balldrivers, they can be left in the screw's hex socket between adjustments for convenience. Each size comes in a pack of four thumbscrews. We offer two kits containing one hex key of each size. The HKTS-KIT imperial kit contains 0.050", 5/64", 1/8", 9/64", and 3/16" sizes, and the HKTS-KIT/M metric kit contains 1.3 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm, and 5 mm sizes.

The 5/64" size is especially useful for adjusting our hex-driven kinematic mounts (see photo to the right). In addition, this size is fully compatible with 2.0 mm hex sockets. The 0.050" size is fully compatible with 1.3 mm hex sockets.

Each thumbscrew incorporates an 8-32 setscrew with a 5/64" [2.0 mm] hex that secures the replaceable hex bit, which can be reversed if the tip is stripped. Contact Tech Support to order replacement hex key bits.

Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey

1/4" Square Drive Hex Bit Kit

These Hex Driver Bit Kits are compatible with our TD24 and TD75 torque drivers as well as traditional 1/4" socket wrenches. The hex sizes available correspond with many of the hex screws used across our product lines. Each bit is engraved with the hex size as seen in the photo to the right.

Please refer to the engraving on the bit for the appropriate hex size. The sockets have engraved sizes on them that may not match the engraved sizes on the hex bit.

Hex Driver Bit Kit Contents

Imperial Kit

0.050", 1/16", 5/64", 3/32", 7/64", 1/8", 9/64", 5/32", and 3/16"

Metric Kit

1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, and 5 mm

Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey

Hex Key Packs

Two of our most commonly used hex key sizes are available in packs of ten. Our 0.050" (1.3 mm) hex keys are primarily used with 4-40 setscrews in our cage plate series, and our 5/64" (2.0 mm) hex keys are used in a wide variety of optomechanical components with 8-32 setscrews.

Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey